Favre, who retired for a third time last offseason, also told King via text message that he isn't up to the challenge of playing again. He said he hasn't thrown a football since Nov. 4, and no teams have called him about returning for a 21st NFL season.

T.J. Yates, a rookie from North Carolina, took over for Leinart and completed 8 of 15 passes for 70 yards against the Jaguars. Kellen Clemens, a six-year veteran who signed earlier in the week, is the only other quarterback on Houston's roster.